What are the different types of visas for France?
If you wish to come to France and you are not a member of the European Union, it will be necessary to obtain a visa (long or short stay). There are several types of visas: the circulation visa, the tourist visa and the transit visa. Choosing between these three types of visas can seem complicated. Visa France will help you in your efforts by explaining the differences between these three visas.
The circulation visa
The circulation visa (or Schengen visa) is a visa reserved for professionals. It allows you to travel several times (unlimited number) within the Schengen area with a single visa. To do so, you must apply for a short stay visa (less than 3 months). Some people are exempt from this visa depending on their reason for coming to France or their nationality. The validity period of a circulation visa can vary from 1 to 3 years. It can take up to two months to obtain a circulation visa. After this period, if no answer has been given, consider this as a refusal.
The tourist visa
The tourist visa must be requested by any foreigner (from outside the European Union and the Schengen area) wishing to visit France for tourist or private reasons. This stay must not exceed 3 months as it is a short term visa. No professional activity must be carried out in France during this period. In case of group travel, you must provide one visa per person. Any exit from the Schengen area during the period of validity of the visa will terminate your visa.
Airport Transit Visa
This visa is required for all foreigners from certain countries who wish to travel to a country other than their own and need to take a connection in the Schengen area. For example, if a Mauritian wishes to go to Poland with a flight with a stopover in France, he will need an airport transit visa.
The inhabitants concerned by the airport transit visas are : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo DRC, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea (Conakry), Haiti, India, Iraq, Iran, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia (if coming from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldavia, Turkey or Egypt) Senegal, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and Sri Lanka, Syria, Chad.
The persons exempted from this visa are :
- family members of an EU or EEA citizen
- holders of a diplomatic passport
- holders of a visa or residence permit issued by a Shengen state, Canada, the USA, Japan, Monaco, Andorra or San Marino.
- The crew of the plane
Visa France App helps you get your visa for France
Whether you are looking to obtain a tourist, circulation or airport transit visa, the Visa France app helps you in all your procedures. You can download it on your smartphone or tablet on Android or iOs.